NPInsights The Newsletter of the National Procurement Institute, Inc. V O L U M E

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President’s Message INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

AEP Information

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Conference Information

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Delegate 5 Registration Form NPI Platinum Partner

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Government Speak...

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Membership Info

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New NPI Members 9 New Certifications 10 Announcements

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Chapter News

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Member News

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The year is flying by and everything seems to be a whirlwind adventure. Where did May go? Speaking of May, how is your AEP application coming along? The deadline is almost here. Please submit as early as possible before the deadline of May 31st! I want to acknowledge and send a huge thank you to Craig Rowley and Brian Garrity for working so very hard on this year’s upgrades to the AEP software. It’s wonderful to see what was submitted last year, as well as the scoring worksheet to review the notes that each evaluator included.

Christina Pryor has worked tirelessly on the conference program, and it will be a spectacular time for learning in Colorado Springs. Registration is open and early registration ends July 8th.

or would like to volunteer, please let me know.

Respectfully Serving,

Dawn M. Berry, CPPB Greg Garza and Jay 2016 NPI President Yoho are working to provide you with another great Products Exposition. The Exhibitor Brochure is available on our website at https:// www.npiconnection.or g/events/ Property may be exhibitor_sponsor.asp destroyed and money (click on ‘Products Exposition’ to view the may lose its purchasing brochure). If you have power; but, character, a great vendor and health, knowledge and think they may be good judgment will interested, please always be in demand share the link. We all need great vendors! under all conditions. The NPI Board of Directors is here to help. If you have questions, suggestions, need assistance,

~Roger Babson

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21st Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement ® Award There are only a few days left, so don’t delay any longer! The application deadline is May 31, 2016. Apply online at: https:// www.npiconnection.org/aep/ instructions.asp Results will be announced late July with trophies being mailed to recipients in August. Don’t miss your chance to be recognized as one of the premier public procurement organizations in North America! The application fee for 2016 is $400 for NPI members and $600 for non-members. AEP Model Submittals Need some help with the AEP application? The AEP Model Submittals were selected from actual AEP applications as examples of ideal submissions for each criterion. They are available to NPI members by logging in to the Member Home Page and selecting “AEP Model Submittals” from the menu bar on the left. Make sure you take advantage of this valuable NPI member benefit! Not an NPI member? You can join for as little as $90! NPI Membership Questions can be sent to: Brian Garrity, CPSM, C.P.M., CPPB, AEP Committee Chair at [email protected].

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SPOILER ALERT! 2016 CONFERENCE PLOT REVEALED!

The 48th Annual NPI Conference and Products Exhibition promises to be the premier public procurement event in 2016. The conference agenda is a networking second to none. The program features leadership and management development sessions and courses aligned with AEP Award criteria. For 2016, NPI returning presenters are debuting new courses. Marcheta Gillespie, CPPO, C.P.M., CPPB, CPM, brings “Reinventing Procurement - The City of Tucson's Procurement 2.0 Project”, the story of the City of Tucson facing serious economic, organization and political changes and turning the challenge into an opportunity. Diane Palmer-Boeck will equip you with the skills to conduct difficult or critical conversations in her new session, “Critical Conversations: Delivering Messages People Don’t Want to Hear”. In “What “Procure” Meant, Means and May Become”, Duff Erholtz and Tammy Rimes explore the roots of public procurement, it’s evolution to the present, and share a glimpse into the crystal ball of what it may look like in the future. The 2016 program features presenters new to the NPI Conference from as close as Colorado Springs and as far as the United Kingdom. Tania Seary of Procurious crosses the Pond to present “The Disruptive Forces Keeping CPOs Awake at Night” and show us how to use “Social Media as the Edge in the War for Talent”. Lorrie Ray of the Mountain States Employers Council brings the secrets of the private sector in parts 1 and 2 of “LEAN Basics”. Cecilia Comito, Assistant Chief Council for the FTA in the Denver office, will deliver insight into the new Super Circular. And with savings of both dollars and energy always in the forefront, Bob Wooten of Tradition Energy will show us how to negotiate energy supply contracts. Between sessions, network with other professionals and suppliers while enjoying delicious lunches. At the end of the day, relax in the company of your peers at social events and the awards dinner. Explore beautiful Colorado Springs and its unique shopping and entertainment offerings all within steps of the hotel. When the 2016 NPI Conference comes to a close, you’ll agree with the critics: it is non-stop action that will leave you breathless!

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Conference Agenda

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Government Speak…

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By Tammy Rimes, Principal, Tammy Rimes Consulting Government loves its acronyms, abbreviations and shorthand on our many programs and activities. Walk into any meeting on a government topic, and you’ll hear phrases, such as “The CAO issued a CCN for CFE by CCD. WHAT? Unless you are part of the system or understand the jargon, who knows what is going on? For those in the know, this jargon is a quick and easy way to communicate. However, it sometimes isolates or eliminates others who might want to participate in the discussion. Most folks won’t stop the discussion and ask “What’s a CCN, CFE or CCD?” (FYI…its contract change notice, contractor furnished equipment and contract completion date). The mistake is when the discussion is taken outside of that meeting room, when a briefing is given to others…using the same shorthand language. Most civilians out there don’t understand our government speak, and really shouldn’t have to. WE need to change it up and learn to speak more of the language of the people! Break it down to a level where a reasonable person might understand the message. Or use a story or visual to help explain a more complicated topic. For instance, here’s a paragraph taken from a real government report: “If agreement on a definitive contract to supersede this letter contract is not reached, … the contracting officer may, with approval of the head of the contracting activity, determine a reasonable fee … subject to contractor appeal as provided in the disputes clause. In any event, the contractor shall proceed with the completion of the contract …” Okay, got that? I didn’t…at least not the first time that I read it. After some careful dissection, I think I got the point, but we really shouldn’t have to struggle through a government bureaucratic report. Here are five tips for writing a more understandable document: 1) Keep the acronyms to a minimum. For instance, if your program is called the California Association of People Who Love Horses and Drink Wine (to which I would be a key member!), and the acronym is CAPWLHDW, then shorten it to The Association. Your text will flow smoothly and be more understandable than a long line of letters sprinkled throughout your document. 2) Read your document out loud. If the sentences are too long, or your tongue starts to get twisted with the details, then re-write, shorten sentences, or create bullets for key points. 3) While government documents must be a bit on the formal side, do not become overly formal with words like “therefore to” and “whereas.” Leave those words for the attorneys. 4) Write like you speak. If it doesn’t sound anything like you, it’s time to re-write with real talk. 5) Tell the story! If you can break down the issue or concept into a story or describe it in such a way that the reading audience can see the visual, then it becomes more real and understandable. Most great presenters and writers are also good storytellers…even when writing dry government documents. The goal isn’t to impress others, or show them how much you know. It should be about sharing information, gaining consensus, or helping move forward an initiative. Take off that government hat and put on that human hat and become a better writer by speaking a common language for all to understand.

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Membership Benefits

The National Procurement Institute’s mission is to promote the achievement of excellence in governmental and institutional procurement through education, certification, professional development and networking of its membership. Its vision is to be recognized as the leading national association of public procurement professionals dedicated to establishing and maintaining high standards of education, certification, professional development, leadership and ethics. Members of NPI represent the current and future leaders of the public procurement profession. The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award symbolizes organizational excellence in innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership. The Annual Conference and Products Exposition offers an intimate setting for delegates to focus on leadership skills and best practices while building lasting relationships. NPI offers its members many benefits including:

An intimate network of the current and future leaders in public procurement Opportunities to shape the future of NPI through service on the Board and Committees Current employment opportunities Access to submittals intended to demonstrate excellence as achieved by successful AEP applicants

Membership Directory providing access to a network of sources for solicitations and contracts Discounted AEP application fees Discounted Annual Conference Registration Scholarship opportunities As a member of NPI, you and your organization will enjoy the support of a thoughtful, strategic professional organization that has been dedicated to supporting the evolving needs of its membership since 1968. Ready to become a member of this great association? Apply online at the following link: https://npiconnection.org/membership/index.asp

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New NPI Members Ronda Armstrong

City of Lancaster

Michael Blackwood

County of Los Angeles

Christopher Bross

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority

Melanie Canedo

ESC Region 2

Mary Jo Childs

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Cherell Daeumer

City of La Porte

Matthew Earle

San Diego Unified Port District

Athena Forrester

DCTA - Denton County Transportation Authority

Mark Gomes

City of Pembroke Pines

Christina Haney

Smith County

Jeremy Lewallen

DCTA - Denton County Transportation Authority

Susan Lightfoot

Brazos Valley Council of Governments

Lisa Littrell

City of McKinney

Fran McAskill

Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Glenn Morey

Cornell University

Megan Morris

San Jacinto River Authority

Mark Neihart

Town of Oro Valley

Ivan Page

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transport

Lori Peterson

Davis School District

Cheryl Phillip

Florida Memorial University

Kimberly Rayray

Seattle City Light

Laura Rivera

Sonoma County Junior College District

Matt Serier

City of Bellingham

Michele Sims

Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Regina Stephenson

City of Midland

Gina Temporal

County of Alameda

Bobby Tolliver II

Allegheny County Airport Authority

Shawna Tubbs

City of League City

Elizabeth Tuck-Rowan

Central Arkansas Water

Melissa Victor

SpenDifference

Welcome to NPI!

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New Certifications Congratulations to the following NPI member for earning the CPSM certification! MR. BRIAN COTHAM, CPSM, C.P.M. Director of Procurement and Support Services California State University, Fresno Certified April 2016

2016 CAPPO Conference Front Row: NIGP Chairman of the Board Keith Glatz, FAPPO Vice-President Diane Wetherington, NPI President Dawn Berry; Back Row: NIGP CEO Rick Grimm, CAPPO President Jana Vargas, NPI Executive Director Craig Rowley, NPI AEP Chair Brian Garrity

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Announcements Pamela Kirkland, CPPO, CPPB Retires from the City of Richardson, Texas

On March 18, 2016, Ms. Pamela Kirkland retired from her position as Purchasing Manager for the City of Richardson. Pam is a NPI Past President, a PPANCT Past President, and a past recipient of the prestigious NPI Carlton N. Parker Award for Outstanding Service. Many public procurement colleagues were in attendance to celebrate with her. On behalf of NPI, best wishes as you embark on a new chapter in your life!

Congratulations Pam!

Happy 50th Anniversary Rene’ Bates Auctioneers, Inc. Congratulations to our friends and long time supporters of NPI! Here’s to another 50!

NPI Immediate Past President January Cook with Rene and Sheryl Bates

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Chapter News

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT KELLI DAVIS, CPPB CHAPTER PRESIDENT Gregg County Purchasing Agent Kelli Davis has over 23 years of experience in County Government serving in various capacities that include Assistant Auditor, Accounts Payable Supervisor, Court Administrator, Assistant Purchasing Agent and for the last ten years Purchasing Agent. She achieved her certification as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) in 1999 and graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with her Bachelor’s Degree in 2008. Under her command, Davis has received two back to back Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Awards from the National Procurement Institute. She is also the two time recipient of the prestigious Annual Presidential Award of Merit from the Texas Public Purchasing Association (TxPPA). Davis is a member of the Texas Public Purchasing Association, the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and The National Procurement Institute. She is the current and first President of the NEW Public Purchasing Association of East Texas (charter Association of NPI). She was elected by her peers and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for both the Texas Public Purchasing Association and the National Procurement Institute. Davis is married to husband Zach and they have two beautiful sons, Carter and Joshua.

PUBLIC PURCHASING ASSOCIATION OF EAST TEXAS

Chapter News

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On April 24, 1986, thirty-five public purchasing professionals from the Dallas/Fort Worth area gathered in a back room of a cafeteria on Highway 183. The purpose was to form a local support group for governmental buyers. Members of the National Procurement Institute Board of Directors and the NPI Executive Director, J. Nelson Slater, provided the leadership. 30 years later and PPANCT is still going strong, supporting its mission to guide the public purchasing profession in a manner that promotes public trust while aggressively pursuing the professional development of PPANCT members. Thank you to all of the past leadership for paving the way for the future of our profession!

The 2016 PPANCT Supplier Showcase Treasure Island Event was held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. The event was successful, with 54 suppliers and 90 members and end users in attendance. THANK YOU to Jennifer Harbour, Showcase Chair, and Eva Ramirez, Master of Ceremonies, for their hard work and dedication to PPANCT.

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Member News Carol Fletcher, CPPB, A.P.P. Receives Award Carol Fletcher, CPPB, A.P.P., of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received the Robert C. Ashby “Excellence in Supply Management” Award from ISMNevada on April 13, 2016.

Congratulations Carol!

Brian Garrity, CPSM, C.P.M., CPPB, AEP Chair, recently attended the CAPPO Conference. Brian presented the 2015 AEP trophies to the California recipients, and manned the AEP booth to provide information about the AEP Program.

Job Well Done Brian!

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Save the Dates 48th Annual National Conference & Products Exposition

Contact Information:

October 9-12, 2016 Antlers Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado

National Procurement Institute, Inc. P.O. Box 2774 Rockport, TX 78381 Craig Rowley, C.P.M. NPI Executive Director Phone: (702) 989-8095 Phone: (866) 877-7641 Fax: (702) 967-0744 Email: [email protected] Dawn Berry, CPPB 2015-2016 NPI President [email protected] January Cook, CPPO, CPPB Newsletter Chair [email protected] Past issues are posted at www.npiconnection.org

49th Annual National Conference & Products Exposition October 17-20, 2017 Crown Plaza French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana

This is the official newsletter of the National Procurement Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.